Mohammed, although the leading goal scorer in the Ghana Premier League, was the surprise package among coach Kwesi Appiah’s 26-man provisional squad announced on Thursday.

He said the news did not come as a surprise to him because he has been working towards it.

“I am very happy and I thank officials of Amidaus for what they have done for me,” Mohammed told Accra-based Happy FM. “I’m not surprised about the call-up because this is the target that I set for myself this year to get the chance into the Black Stars team.”

“I am ready to play in any position the coach will ask me to play and will put up my best and prove myself to Ghanaians,” he added.

Six locally-based players and 20 foreign ones exclusing Olympique Marseille striker Jordan Ayew, defender Samuel Inkoom and AC Milan’s Sulley Muntari made the cut for the team that will be camping in Abu Dhabi ahead of the Nations Cup.